Introduction to the Mafia

STEP 1 Get out one piece of paper. Put your name, date, and period number on the top right corner. Label it “Introduction to the Mafia”

Photo Analysis: Who: (subject) What: (Action) When: (Time) Where: (Location) Why: (Reason) How: (Process) Photo Analysis:

STEP 2 Left hand label #1 – “ Film Clip Analysis”. Directions: Watch the film clips and write down 5 observations about things you noticed about mafia life across all film clips. Title: Video Analysis Clip #1 – American Gangster - Clip #2 – American Gangster Clip #3 – The GodFather Clip #4 – The Untouchables Clip #5 - - The Untouchables

Step 3 As a team answer the following questions: Basic Questions 1 What is organized crime? How is organized crime different from regular crime? 2. What is a mafia/a mob? Name some famous mafias in the world? 3. What crimes do they commit? Name 3. 4. Is there a mafia in this city? Who is it? 5. Why would someone join the mafia? 6. Name 3 popular movies that deal with the mob

Step 4 As a team define the following words as best you can: to wack (someone) 2. a front (as in a business front) 3. turf 4. to put a hit on someone 5. to extort 6. to shake down 7. to racketeer  8. a. a mob boss    b. an underboss    c. a consigliere    d. a captain    e. a soldier f. a crew 9. a made man (a wiseguy)

Step 5 Now that we all have our words defined each group will be given a piece of copy paper and a term. Horizontally on that paper you are to write each group members name on the top right corner. Then write the word and definition largely and clearly in the center of the page. When you are done you will get a piece of painters tape and will place it on the back wall under the “Criminal Behavior” sign. When we are done we will have created a “word wall” to use while analyzing Cosa Nostra.

Step 6 Now each person on their own, write a scenario using all the words below. to wack (someone) 2. a front (as in a business front) 3. turf 4. to put a hit on someone 5. to extort 6. to shake down 7. to racketeer  8. a. a mob boss    b. an underboss    c. a consigliere    d. a captain    e. a soldier f. a crew 9. a made man (a wiseguy)

Step 7 Read each other’s scenarios aloud to one another and select the best one from your group.

Step 8 Now I will read the chosen ones by the groups aloud and we will vote on which one is the best one.

STEP 9 Take your individual papers and put them aside. As a team get out one piece of paper and put everyone's name in the top right hand corner. Put your group number on the top of the paper in the center.

STEP 10 As a team you will now create your own mafia. On that team piece of paper write the following questions down and answer them. DO NOT share this information with other groups. 1. What's the name of your mob/mafia? 2. What kinds of organized crime are you involved in/commit? 3. Where is your turf located? (in Stockton) 4. How do you become a made man/wiseguy in your mob? 5. Who's the mob boss? Underboss? 6. What is your front? 7. How many soldiers do you have? 8. How many captains and how large are their crews? 9. Do you have any current hits on anyone? 10. Have any of your members wacked someone or been wacked recently?

STEP 11 Each team will send their bosses to the chairs in the center of the room. They are now attending the Worldwide Mafia Conference. Bosses – take a seat then go around the circle and introduce yourselves. Who are you? Bosses – now try to find out as much as possible about the other outfits.

Step 12 Bosses return to your group and answer these three questions on the back of your groups paper. 1 – What groups are your biggest threat? Why? 2 – What was the most common business the other groups were in? 3 – What groups could you form alliances with to muscle out the others? Why do you think that group would join you?

STEP 13 Each Mafia outfit has to plan a hit on another group's mob boss. Choose from one of the following 3 scenarios. How will you pull off the hit? #1 This boss likes to eat at a certain Italian restaurant every Sunday night, but he's always surrounded by 4 of his best bodyguards. How will you execute the hit? #2 This boss is going to be playing golf at a certain time. The golf club is completely private and only members are allowed on site. The mob boss has one bodyguard with him.  How are you going to do it? #3 This boss is driving to his country home for the weekend. He's going to be in a small motorcade with a security car in front and in back of him. How will you execute the hit?